It may be winter but plans are in full bloom at the Northern New England Home Garden Flower Show at Fryeburg Fairgrounds

FRYEBURG, Maine — “Cooking for a Healthier Lifestyle” will be the theme of this year’s Meet the Chefs cooking series at the 12th annual Northern New England Home, Garden, Flower Show, taking place May 16-18 at the Fryeburg Fairgrounds in western Maine.

The show, which has been rated a top 20 event in Maine by Yankee Magazine, drew more than 11,000 people last year. Exhibitors include a wide range of home- and garden-related businesses and services. The three-day show also offers gardening seminars, do-it-yourself demonstrations and talks on such topics as interior decorating and staging your home for sale.

The ever-expanding show now fills seven buildings and five-plus acres of outside displays. “We are dedicated to providing the most comprehensive selection of quality home- and garden-related businesses and items in a friendly and expansive environment that will both entertain and educate as it inspires those attending,” says event organizer Karla Ficker.

A new sponsor this year is the Maine Florist Growers Association, creating cut-flower and silk-flower arrangements all three days of the show. Arrangements will be auctioned off at the end of each day, with 100 percent of the proceeds going to the Miranda Leavitt Diabetes Association.

Paul Parent, host of the popular Paul Parent Garden Club radio program that airs on Sunday mornings, returns to the New England Home, Garden, Flower Show this year. He will be broadcasting live from the show on Sunday, May 18. Paul will also be giving talks each day. “We are thrilled to have Paul Parent returning again to our show,” Ficker says. “Paul has helped thousands of gardeners be successful with their flower and vegetable beds, lawns and landscaping projects all over New England and the United States.”

Bridgton Hospital, a member of the Central Maine Medical Family, and the hospital’s diabetes management clinic will be one of the lead sponsors of the show’s highly regarded Meet the Chefs cooking series.

Meet the Chefs is a show highlight. Top chefs from the region will share some of their healthy cooking dishes. Among the presenters this year are several award-winning chefs; Maine Lobster Chef of year (2012-13), Kerry Alterio, of Rockland, Maine. Michael Jublinsky, owner of Stone Turtle Baking Co., Lyman, voted one of America’s top 10 bakers (2011); and Jean Kerr, chef and publisher of Northeast FLAVOR Magazine chosen as one of the nation’s 10 best new magazines by MediaSource/Library (2011). Many other highly regarded chefs will also be sharing their knowledge and recipes with the crowd. A of chefs and dishes will be posted on the show’s website, www.homegardenflowershow.com, and Facebook page in upcoming weeks.

Sponsors help make the Northern New England Home, Garden, Flower Show possible. A longtime show sponsor is Portland Press Herald/Maine Sunday Telegram. “It never ceases to amaze us how well organized and attended the show is each year,” says Sven Johnson, advertising marketing manager. “The show definitely helps attendees shed their winter cabin fever and marks a rite of passage to spring.” Van Fleet, owner of Mainely Tubs in Portland, said following the 2013 show, “It was our best spring show by leaps and bounds. From the overall appearance of the grounds, to the quality of the clientele, to the vendor support, we have consistently found the show to provide us a superior return.”

“Showing our products to the thousands of attendees at the extensive facility at the Fryeburg Fairgrounds is always a big boost to our business,” says Mike Michaud, of Gagne and Son, which specializes in Maine-made masonry, hardscape, pre-cast and natural stone. “The enthusiastic crowd the show attracts is not just lookers, but is very interested in buying.”